Tag: green dragon tinctures

Cannabis Tinctures South Africa

South Africans are pretty new to the notion of using Cannabis tinctures as a viable delivery method for their medicinal needs. Many are used to buying Rick Simpson oil, better known as Full Extract Cannabis Oil, but often this is made using poor quality solvents like Benzene, denatured isopropyl alcohol or even petrol. If you are wanting to buy pure Cannabis oil always remember to ask your Cannabis oil supplier what solvent was used in the extraction process. Only food grade ethanol which is fit for human consumption should be used to make Cannabis oil. Stay away from Cannabis oil suppliers who do not use food grade ethanol.

Tincture of Cannabis, sometimes known as green dragon, is an alcoholic extract of Cannabis.

Cannabis tinctures might be one of the most underrated ways to consume cannabis, and up until the start of Cannabis prohibition in 1937, tinctures was the most common form of Cannabis medicine.

Way back before Cannabis prohibition, tinctures were the primary mode of consumption for medical cannabis and for good reason, too: tinctures are a great way to administer medicine in a hurry, and when stored properly, could last for many years.

Tinctures are made simply by absorbing cannabinoids or other herbal ingredients into a high-proof alcohol (usually Everclear or food grade ethanol), then straining out the plant matter. Tinctures can then be consumed by adding a desired amount to food and beverages, or simply by dropping a few milliliters under the tongue for more direct absorption.

Alcohol is used to extract the terpenes and cannabinoids from the Cannabis, leaving behind a liquid that contains a high concentration of active compounds. Alcohol also preserves the compounds, which is important since it takes longer to consume tinctures as opposed to other forms of Cannabis.

Cannabis tinctures are usually stored in a dark dropper bottle, which helps preserve the tincture for longer by blocking out sunlight.

Cannabis tincture appeared in the United States Pharmacopoeia until 1942 (Australia 1977, UK 1970s). In the 20th century Cannabis lost its appeal as a medicinal product, largely due to the development of apparently suitable alternatives, such as the hypodermic needle, water-soluble analgesics and synthetic hypnotics. A major concern of the regulatory authorities at that time was the widespread recreational use of Cannabis.

While less common today, Cannabis tinctures are still popular among patients, especially those who need to take regular doses of Cannabis throughout their day. Cannabis tinctures are especially promising for those in the medical community because of their excellent bioavailability, quick absorption rate and low irritation to body. Patients who suffer from nausea need not swallow a pill or eat an edible to gain relief, and those who may be sensitive to inhalation need not smoke it. Win-win.

The pharmacological target for Cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, is being researched since its discovery in the 1980s. And there are many credible studies showing the efficiency of using cannabinoid therapy.

Cannabis tinctures are one of the best, most underrated delivery methods, providing a fast and efficient dosage of medicine with minimal effort. Cannabis tinctures are usually taken by placing a few drops under the tongue (sublingually). This method is great for those who need a rapid dose of medicine. Put a few drops under your tongue and you’ll feel it.

Tinctures are immediately absorbed into your system, making its way to the brain and body. Simply use a few drops and wait for the desired effects to take place. If more medicine is needed, additional drops can be added.

Tincture dosages are easy to self-titrate, or measure. Start with 1mL of your finished tincture and put it under your tongue. If you’re happy with the effects, you’re done. Otherwise, try 2mL the next day and so on until you find the volume you’re happy with (ramp up slowly while testing your desired dosage so you can avoid getting uncomfortably high). Of course if you’re using a THCa Cannabis tincture or a CBD oil tincture then there will be no high effect. You could also simply start with two drops under the tongue twice daily and increase the drops from there.

There are plenty advantages to using tinctures over other methods of consuming Cannabis. Here is a list of the benefits of using tinctures over other consumption methods:

Fewer Calories: You can get the edibles experience from meals that you were already planning to eat instead of sweets like gummies and brownies.

Discretion: Tinctures don’t smell like Cannabis and in a glass bottle with a dropper, they’ll look like any other medicine.

Faster Onset: Sublingually, the effects last longer.

Precise Dosing: With edibles, flowers and concentrates it is easier to accidentally take a higher dose than necessary. Tinctures allow you to take a few drops at a time until you feel the desired effects.

Simpler Than Smoking: People that dislike or have a hard time smoking or vaping Cannabis are better off using tinctures.

The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating balance in our body’s immune response, communication between cells, appetite and metabolism, memory, and more. In spite of the integral role this system takes on, until recently it remained an unknown part of the human body’s functions. Read more here.

What is the “Entourage Effect”?

Cannabis contains over 113 cannabinoids, over 200 terpenes, and hundreds of other chemical compounds.

These compounds work together to produce a synergistic effect known as the “entourage effect”.

Cannabidiol, CBD, is one of at least 113 naturally occurring cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.

CBD does not appear to have any psychoactive effects such as those caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and it may have a downregulating impact on disordered thinking and anxiety. Read more here.

What is THC?

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for the “High” effect. But is THC only used for recreational purposes? Or does THC also offer medicinal benefits for people who are using cannabis and/or cannabis oil in South Africa? Read more here.